View full sizeNOAA imageTropical Storm Ophelia has formed in the central tropical Atlantic.

At 10 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Ophelia was located near latitude 12.2 north, longitude 40.1 west. Ophelia is moving toward the west near 9 mph, 1and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 48 hours with an increase in forward speed.

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph, with higher gusts. Some gradual strengthening is forecast during the next day or so.

Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles, mainly to the north of the center.